If you’ve been a teacher for some time, you’ve probably come in contact with hundreds of parents and kids with different personalities, behaviors, and habits.

While some may exhibit “green flags” of great parenting styles (i.e. the kids have manners or the parents kindly communicate with you about their child’s needs), I’m curious to know: What are the automatic tell-tale signs that a parent or kid’s behavior exhibits “red flags” parenting styles.

For instance, maybe after teaching for years, it’s a clear sign a kid may be brought up with a toxic-like parent when the child tends to beat themselves up over the smallest things.

Or maybe parents with a pessimistic viewpoint about their child or their schooling usually mean they are highly critical of their children (and themselves).

Finally, maybe when you see that both parents have hugely different parenting styles, it can indicate that the child will be confused about how to proceed in certain areas in school or friendships.

Once you notice these parenting-style “red flags,” do you, as the teacher, try to support the child in a particular way? If so, tell us what you’ve done and how it has impacted them, or you as a teacher.

Teacher assisting a student with a worksheet in a classroom, surrounded by other students

Three people wearing lanyards in conversation, one man smiling and gesturing, indoors

Teacher comforting a distressed boy in a classroom while other children continue working

Woman and boy engaged in discussion with open books on the table in a library setting

Girl looking upset in foreground with two adults arguing in the background

Teacher assists a young student with her schoolwork in a classroom